I Need A Family: Dynamic Da’Shawn Needs Love And Structure, Loves MJ

When describing Da’Shawn, his adoption worker says the word “dynamic” comes to mind.

Da’Shawn, age 17, has a lot of interests. His latest hobby is baking.

“I started baking when I was 15, and I haven’t given it up yet” he says. He loves to bake treats for his friends, and says that he’d like to learn to make crème brulee. “It’s hard to make,” Da’Shawn reports. Da’Shawn is considering a career as a pastry chef, but given all his other interests, he’s not sure yet.

In addition to baking, when Da’Shawn is not in school, he enjoys playing sports particularly baseball and basketball. He follows Detroit sports teams, especially the Tigers, and has attended a Tigers game as well as seeing the Detroit Pistons play.

“I went to a U of M football game too,” Da’Shawn says and would like to attend the University of Michigan one day.

Another passion is music; Da’Shawn plays electric guitar and sings in a band that he and his friends started.

“We play rock music, like Nickelback, Papa Roach and Bush,” he says.

One of his favorite bands is Nickelback, and would like to tour with them someday. He’s also hoping to see them next time they tour. Da’Shawn’s favorite musician is Michael Jackson. “Nobody can touch his music!” he exclaims. He saw the Michael Jackson movie, “This is It” and was inspired to learn most of the famous singer’s dance moves.

A junior in high school, Da’Shawn’s favorite subject is math. Although he claims that he doesn’t enjoy writing or reading, his caseworker says that he’s becoming a better reader every year. He enjoys The Hunger Games books, and is looking forward to seeing the latest Hunger Games movie.

Da’Shawn was removed from his birth home when he was a toddler, and subsequently lived with relatives. Due to allegations of abuse, he and his sisters were removed from that home and Da’Shawn entered foster care. His adoption worker reports that Da’Shawn is in counseling to deal with his early traumas, and to learn coping skills. He’s also behind his peers in terms of academic and social skills.

Prospective parents will need to be committed to continuing Da’Shawn’s counseling. They will also need to be strong advocates for him at school, as Da’Shawn needs extensive educational support. According to his caseworker, “Da’Shawn requires a structured and committed family that is patient, supportive, firm, nurturing and experienced with individuals with special needs. The family should be willing and able to ensure that he continues to participate in after-care services.”

His caseworker says that Da’Shawn would likely do well in any type of family, but would probably thrive with older siblings that he could look up to. Da’Shawn would like a family that is active and sports-oriented. “I want a family that will take me to games, like a basketball or baseball game,” he says.

He’s a budding musician and wants a family that will support his musical aspirations. He also wants a mom that will be able to cook with him. He’d like to live in the city, and would like to have a pet; he’d like a parakeet or a bird that will talk. Da’Shawn would also like a big dog, like a shepherd.

“I want to stay in Grand Rapids,” Da’Shawn requests. He has friends here and likes the community. He enjoys Craig’s Cruisers because, as he puts it, “I’m the champion of laser tag – I’m unstoppable.”

His caseworker also describes Da’Shawn as someone who is initially shy around strangers, but once he gets to know someone “he becomes your best friend.” Da’Shawn is also praised for being someone who is good at helping his peers when they are upset or troubled, and is often one who others look to for sympathetic ear.

If you have room in your home, and heart, for this beautiful child, please contact Katie Simmons, Lutheran Adoption Service, at (616) 356-1934 or by email at ksimm@lssm.org.

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“He’s a high tenor with a three-and-a-half octave range. He goes from basso low E up to G and A-Flat above high C. A lot of people think its falsetto, but it’s not. It’s all connected, which is remarkable. During his vocal exercises he would put his arms up in the air and would start spinning while holding a note. I asked him why he was doing that, and he said ‘I may have to do it on stage, so I want to make sure it’s possible.’ I’d never seen anything like that before. I thought maybe I should stop him so he can concentrate on his voice now, and dance later. But I figured if he can do it, let him do it.” — Seth Riggs on Michael Jackson

“I pray that my children will give me the benefit of the doubt. That they will say to themselves: “Our daddy did the best he could, given the unique circumstances that he faced. He may not have been perfect, but he was a warm and decent man, who tried to give us all the love in the world… I hope that they will always focus on the positive things, on the sacrifices I willingly made for them, and not criticize the things they had to give up, or the errors I’ve made, and will certainly continue to make, in raising them. For we have all been someone’s child, and we know that despite the very best of plans and efforts, mistakes will always occur. That’s just being human.“ Michael Jackson – Oxford Speech 2001

“I’ve seen lawyers who don’t represent me and spokespeople who do not know me speaking for me. These characters always seem to surface with dreadful allegations just as another project, an album, a video is being released.” ~ Michael Jackson, November 18, 2003

♫ I Just Want A Touch And Kiss…Cause You Give Me Butterflies, Michael!♫

Michael Jackson: Portrait of Brillant Artistry ~ “I always want to do music that inspires or influences another generation. You want what you create to live, be it sculpture or painting or music. Like Michelangelo, he said, “I know the creator will go, but his work survives. That is why to escape death, I attempt to bind my soul to my work.” And that’s how I feel. I give my all to my work. I want it to just live.”